will be shown hereafter, may in most cases be obtained.  However, in order that the family may possess proper comforts, there should be around the homestead trees, and shrubs, and grasses, and the family garden.  To secure these things a certain amount of irrigation water is required.  It may be added that dry-farms on which such homesteads are found as a result of the existence of a small supply of irrigation water are much more valuable, in case of sale, than equally good farms without the possibility of maintaining homesteads.  Moreover, the distinct value of irrigation in producing a large acre yield makes it desirable for the farmer to use all the water at his disposal for irrigation purposes.  No available water should be allowed to flow away unused.

Available surface water

The sources of water for dry-farms fall readily into classes:  surface waters and subterranean waters.  The surface waters, wherever they may be obtained, are generally the most profitable.  The simplest method of obtaining water in an irrigated region is from some irrigation canal.  In certain districts of the intermountain region where the dry farms lie above the irrigation canals and the irrigated lands below, it is comparatively easy for the farmers to secure a small but sufficient amount of water from the canal by the use of some pumping device that will force the water through the pipes to the homestead.  The dry-farm area that may be so supplied by irrigation canals is, however, very limited and is not to be considered seriously in connection with the problem.

A much more important method, especially in the mountainous districts, is the utilization of the springs that occur in great numbers over the whole dry-farm territory.  Sometimes these springs are very small indeed, and often, after development by tunneling into the side of the hill, yield only a trifling flow.  Yet, when this water is piped to the homestead and allowed to accumulate in small reservoirs or cisterns, it may be amply sufficient for the needs of the family and the live stock, besides having a surplus for the maintenance of the lawn, the shade trees, and the family garden.  Many dry-farmers in the intermountain country have piped water seven or eight miles from small springs that were considered practically worthless and thereby have formed the foundations for small village communities.

Of perhaps equal importance with the utilization of the naturally occurring springs is the proper conservation of the flood waters.  As has been stated before, arid conditions allow a very large loss of the natural precipitation as run-off.  The numerous gullies that characterize so many parts of the dry-farm territory are evidences of the number and vigor of the flood waters.  The construction of small reservoirs in proper places for the purpose of catching the flood waters will usually enable the farmer to supply himself with all the water needed for the homestead.  Such reservoirs may already be found in great numbers scattered over the whole western America.  As dry-farming increases their numbers will also increase.